1953 Ionian Earthquake
Encyclopedia
The Great 1953 Ionian Earthquake struck the southern Ionian Islands
in Greece
on August 12, 1953. In mid-August 1953, beginning on 8 August there were over 113 recorded earthquakes in the region between Kefalonia and Zakynthos, but the most destructive was the earthquake of August 12th. That earthquake measured 7.2 on the surface wave magnitude
scale and caused widespread damage throughout the islands of Kefalonia
and Zakynthos
.
The quake struck at 09:24 (UTC) or 11:24 (local time). HMS Gambia and HMS Bermuda
were among the first on the scene. In addition, four Israeli warships received S.O.S. signals coming from the Island of Kefalonia and the ships headed to the island. The sailors provided emergency medical aid, food and water. This was the first time Israel provided aid to a disaster-stricken area.
The earthquake is generally known as the great Kefalonia Earthquake; yet in the capital of Zakynthos
too, only two buildings survived the earthquake and the rest of the island's capital had to be rebuilt. Argostoli
, the capital of Kefalonia, suffered substantial damage and the whole of Kefalonia except for Fiskardo in the far north was flattened.
As well as causing major destruction on the two islands, the economic impact of the earthquake was far greater, and damage was estimated to have totaled billions of Drachmas. Many people fled the island after the earthquake, leaving both the islands and their economy in ruins.
Earthquakes still regularly shake the islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia, including several 2006 earthquakes at Zakynthos and others in 2003 and 2005, respectively.
Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands are a group of islands in Greece. They are traditionally called the Heptanese, i.e...
in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
on August 12, 1953. In mid-August 1953, beginning on 8 August there were over 113 recorded earthquakes in the region between Kefalonia and Zakynthos, but the most destructive was the earthquake of August 12th. That earthquake measured 7.2 on the surface wave magnitude
Surface wave magnitude
The surface wave magnitude scale is one of the magnitude scales used in seismology to describe the size of an earthquake. It is based on measurements in Rayleigh surface waves that travel primarily along the uppermost layers of the earth...
scale and caused widespread damage throughout the islands of Kefalonia
Kefalonia
The island of Cephalonia, also known as Kefalonia, Cephallenia, Cephallonia, Kefallinia, or Kefallonia , is the largest of the Ionian Islands in western Greece, with an area of . It is also a separate regional unit of the Ionian Islands region, and the only municipality of the regional unit...
and Zakynthos
Zakynthos
Zakynthos , also Zante, the other form often used in English and in Italian , is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the third largest of the Ionian Islands. It is also a separate regional unit of the Ionian Islands region, and the only municipality of the regional unit. It covers an area of ...
.
The quake struck at 09:24 (UTC) or 11:24 (local time). HMS Gambia and HMS Bermuda
HMS Bermuda
Eight vessels of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Bermuda, after the island of Bermuda. was a 14-gun brig-sloop purchased in 1795, and foundered the following year. was an 18-gun sloop-of-war launched in 1805 and wrecked 1808. was a 10-gun brig-sloop launched 1808 and wrecked 1816, built...
were among the first on the scene. In addition, four Israeli warships received S.O.S. signals coming from the Island of Kefalonia and the ships headed to the island. The sailors provided emergency medical aid, food and water. This was the first time Israel provided aid to a disaster-stricken area.
The earthquake is generally known as the great Kefalonia Earthquake; yet in the capital of Zakynthos
Zakynthos (city)
Zakynthos is a city and a former municipality on the island of Zakynthos, Ionian Islands, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Zakynthos, of which it is a municipal unit. It is the capital of the island of Zakynthos. Apart from the official name Zakynthos,...
too, only two buildings survived the earthquake and the rest of the island's capital had to be rebuilt. Argostoli
Argostoli
Argostoli is a town and a former municipality on the island of Kefalonia, Ionian Islands, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kefalonia, of which it is a municipal unit...
, the capital of Kefalonia, suffered substantial damage and the whole of Kefalonia except for Fiskardo in the far north was flattened.
As well as causing major destruction on the two islands, the economic impact of the earthquake was far greater, and damage was estimated to have totaled billions of Drachmas. Many people fled the island after the earthquake, leaving both the islands and their economy in ruins.
Earthquakes still regularly shake the islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia, including several 2006 earthquakes at Zakynthos and others in 2003 and 2005, respectively.